| puppy4son |
| Posted 1/12/2008 5:39:39 PM |
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Active: 01-12-2008
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I don't know a whole lot about dogs/puppies. We are trying to find the perfect puppy/dog for our three year old son. We want a Dog that is: 1) medium size to small 2) doesn't bark a lot 3) doesn't shed, or doesn't shed much 4) most importantly, is GREAT with kids. Our son is afraid of big dogs, but tends to be ok with smaller dogs. He's been wanting a puppy and since he will be an only child, we want him to have a "companion" and thought a puppy would be a great way to go. Any help you cold provide in our selection process would be greatly appreciated. Thank You ~ |
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| dcboxers |
| Posted 1/12/2008 10:18:57 PM |
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Active: 01-12-2008
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I have a 2yr old and 6mo old and we recently got an adult Boxer who is on the small side. She is the perfect indoor dog, doesnt shed much, no drool, or odor and boxers are known for being great with kids. |
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| maoseger1010 |
| Posted 1/13/2008 9:45:15 AM |
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Forum Moderator
 
Active: 02-20-2005
Posts: 6601
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| Quote dcboxers: I have a 2yr old and 6mo old and we recently got an adult Boxer who is on the small side. She is the perfect indoor dog, doesnt shed much, no drool, or odor and boxers are known for... |
Only a Boxer is still a pretty big Dog even if its a smaller dog. Because the poster mentioned her child is afraid of big dogs, and boxers are a high energy, wigggly breed. I don't think it would be a good choice.
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| maoseger1010 |
| Posted 1/13/2008 10:24:15 AM |
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Forum Moderator
Active: 02-20-2005
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| Quote puppy4son: I don't know a whole lot about dogs/puppies. We are trying to find the perfect puppy/dog for our three year old son. We want a Dog that is: 1) medium size to small 2) doesn't bark a lot 3) doesn't shed,... |
"We want a Dog that is: 1) medium size to small 2) doesn't bark a lot 3) doesn't shed, or doesn't shed much 4) most importantly, is GREAT with kids."
Answer...
1)All dogs shed, the ones who shed the least require daily brushing and a professional grooming every four to six weeks. 2) All dogs bark and small dogs tend to bark more than larger dogs, but YOU can train them to bark less. Since you don't know a lot about dogs/Puppies you'll need to take your puppy to puppy classes. 3)Great with kids, most of the smaller breeds of dogs are not known to be great with kids. Put you face six inches off the floor and watch your three year old run, laughing or crying in your direction. Its a scary thing to a little dog. Kids seldom know how to pet a dog, they all want to stick their little fingers out towards the face to pet the top of their head. Generally dogs do not feel comfortable with this. dogs perfer to be petted on the chest and not their head.4) You have to be careful in choosing a Med. sized Dog ss they are often herders and will want to herd your son, which he will not like or understand.
"Our son is afraid of big dogs, but tends to be ok with smaller dogs.
Answer...
Tends to be ok.... dogs and bees smell fear...A Dog of any size will quickly figure out your son is afraid of it. They will use that to their advantage. Generally doesn't work out well for the child.
"He's been wanting a puppy and since he will be an only child, we want him to have a "companion" and thought a puppy would be a great way to go."
Answer.... I can't think of a really nice way to say this, but this is a really bad reason to get a dog. If you had come and said...I've been wanting a dog.... I would feel differently. When I read... he will be an only child and we want him to have a companion... what I read is
We fell guilty that he's not going to have a brother or sister to play with so we want to get a Dog to fill the void we think is there. Perhaps I'm wrong. But if there is even a slimmest chance I'm right. Don't get a dog. Its to much pressure on the dog. It won't live up to the expectations.
continued....
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| maoseger1010 |
| Posted 1/13/2008 10:24:32 AM |
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Forum Moderator
Active: 02-20-2005
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I truely think you need to get your son over being afraid of dogs before you ever get one. YOU also need to be around Puppies.dogs more with your son. Puppies bark and they bite,they scratch and they grab toys and don't want to give them back. They jump and they run and they tear up stuff their not supposed to. IF your son is afraid, this won't make him less afraid. Not to mention, how will you feel when your son gets a big scratch on his face or nipped fingers? Who will you blame? This is your pride and joy, light of the world only child. How will you feel? Human instinct is to blame the dog, but only YOU are to blame can you handle that?
I'm not trying to be rude, I'm trying to be straight with you. If you read all of this and still think getting a Dog is a good idea, because you can handle all of these things thats great.
Get a Pug. A well bred Pug. Their a smaller Dog that has a big Dog heart. They do shed but you can brush them and keep up with that. You will have to be careful with their eyes. YOU MUST NEVER leave your Dog and child alone together not for a minute. For the safety of your child and the safety of your dog. Your Dog should be viewed as a new born baby, would you let your son be alone with the new born? Your son should not be allowed to pick up and carry the dog. Three year olds simply don't know how to carry a Dog and may just deside to drop the pup because they see something elce they want. Puppies break.
Again PUPPY classes are great for you and great for your dog. Don't try to do it alone.
Good luck.
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| _Dogs_Rule_ |
| Posted 1/13/2008 5:43:20 PM |
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Active: 05-12-2006
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First of all, you should expect to do most of the work, a three old can't take care of a Dog on his own. Saying that, have you considered a bulldog? Do some research and take your son to see some at Dog shows or the Dog park. Don't rush into getting a puppy or a Dog without seriously making sure its the right decision.
Good Luck!
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| hmr40118 |
| Posted 1/13/2008 6:03:42 PM |
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Active: 01-05-2008
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what about a ****zu...they do have alot of hair..but there great with kids and there small. |
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| maoseger1010 |
| Posted 1/13/2008 8:55:46 PM |
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Active: 02-20-2005
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| Quote hmr40118: what about a ****zu...they do have alot of hair..but there great with kids and there small. |
Shih Tzu is their name and they are not known to be "great" with kids. |
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| THMINIS |
| Posted 1/13/2008 8:55:50 PM |
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Active: 03-16-2006
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I couldn't agree more with what Mao has posted.
After saying that, I'll put in my two cents and say that I grew up with a pug. When I was born, he was already two years old. Best Dog ever. I currently have two pugs, one who is almost 2 and one who is almost 4, and a brother who will soon be 7. Again, they do extremely well with children.
But, pugs shed (as do all dogs). Pugs can have a tendency to be a costly breed health wise. You'll need to do research and find a reputable breeder and you will need to expect to do a fair amount of work to keep up the dog's health (with any breed). As Mao also said, you have to be careful of their eyes, and you can never leave a child and Dog alone no matter how much you trust the two. That also being said, I have never met an owner of a Pug who doesn't speak of their Dog as anything but a family member. Pug's have the capacity to be the best companion possible.
The poster above me(ETA-well above MAO) suggested a Shih-Tzu. It wouldn't be my first choice. I haven't really met one that I have absolutely loved (I work at a veterinarian's office) or found to be a great family dog. Granted, you cannot judge a Dog by it's breed (training and breeding is what will determine your dog's personality) but many Shih-Tzus tend to be one person dogs, and I find them to be more independent. Growing up my best friend had one who was very snippy. She didn't like to cuddle and just wanted the general pat on the head when she walked by you. Very different than a breed like the Pug who is often called a "velcro dog". |
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| hmr40118 |
| Posted 1/14/2008 12:38:32 AM |
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Active: 01-05-2008
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Oh well, my friend bought her daughter a Shih Tzu at the age of 1 and 3 yrs later she's never had any problems.. But maybe it just depends on the dog..But they played great together. |
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| maoseger1010 |
| Posted 1/14/2008 7:00:04 AM |
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Forum Moderator
Active: 02-20-2005
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| Quote hmr40118: Oh well, my friend bought her daughter a Shih Tzu at the age of 1 and 3 yrs later she's never had any problems.. But maybe it just depends on the dog..But they played great together. |
You know everyone has different levels of tolerance with their child.
IF and when a Dog snaps at their child they either freak out and run the Dog to the nearest pound. Or they will give the Dog a correction command and say to the child... "Hey you asked for it, the Dog did nothing wrong" and go on about their lives.
Your friend may be the second kind of person. |
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| puppy4son |
| Posted 1/14/2008 9:40:27 AM |
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Active: 01-12-2008
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Thank you for your posts. As I did not mention ALL the details of us getting a puppy....for those concerned, yes I've had rottweilers before and taken them to puppy class. I am researching our family needs and the puppy needs. Again, I don't know a lot about different breeds or which is best for my family, that's why I have posted. My husband spends a lot of time with our son with our neighbors dogs getting him used to dogs and he LOVES his day care's little dog. You're right, I would feel guilty if my son was snipped by a dog, any dog, or if ANYTHING ever happened to my son, that's why I am being reponsible now in researching the best breed for him. To ease your concern, this isn't a guilt thing...my husband wants a Dog as well as my son and I don't think there's any harm in that or in wanting my son to have "man's best friend". If anyone has any further suggestions on a good Dog for my family I would greatly appreciate it. |
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| ccrper |
| Posted 1/14/2008 11:12:50 AM |
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Active: 10-22-2007
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Try a Collie. The Rough cost don't shed as much as Smooth. They are large but so gentle. I grew up with a Collie and my Children (5 boys) with a Collie and now in my 70's have a Collie 2yrs old and so great with the Granchildren. Youngest is 3. Easy to train. They bark but is controllable. Very friendly. Look up breed.
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| jcmaddock10 |
| Posted 1/14/2008 4:51:24 PM |
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Active: 07-21-2007
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We have a pekingese that never barks and he's a few years old. I hear him bark maybe once a week. I have heard of other people say that theirs does bark all of the time, but hey maybe you could get lucky like us. He barely ever sheds and his coat is sooo silky and smooth. We love our pekingese and he's amazing with children. He is probably one of the most laid back dogs that I have ever owned. |
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| maoseger1010 |
| Posted 1/14/2008 6:16:05 PM |
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Forum Moderator
Active: 02-20-2005
Posts: 6601
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| Quote jcmaddock10: We have a pekingese that never barks and he's a few years old. I hear him bark maybe once a week. I have heard of other people say that theirs does bark all of the time, but hey maybe you could get lucky... |
You have a very unusual Peke. If they have the proper coat they will shed quite a bit as their coat is heavy and thick. I owned two, one whos coat was very poor and thin, but soft and another who's coat was thick and heavy and both shed. My pekes were good with people but not children. They couldn't be trusted. Normal for the breed. The breed is known to bark. They were bred to sleep in the beds of kings and his family in the palaces and bark to awake him or his family if trouble came.
Wonderful breed but most breeders won't sell them to families with children under that age of 7. |
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| maoseger1010 |
| Posted 1/14/2008 6:28:21 PM |
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Forum Moderator
Active: 02-20-2005
Posts: 6601
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| Quote puppy4son: Thank you for your posts. As I did not mention ALL the details of us getting a puppy....for those concerned, yes I've had rottweilers before and taken them to puppy class. I am researching our family... |
"To ease your concern, this isn't a guilt thing...my husband wants a Dog as well as my son and I don't think there's any harm in that or in wanting my son to have "man's best friend". If anyone has any further suggestions on a good Dog for my family I would greatly appreciate it."
No theres no harm in your husband wanting a Dog and you allowing your son to play with the dog. The harm comes in when people get Dog for their kids and then get upset when the Dog doesn't turn out to be the childs best friend and playmate they thought it would. The Dog is way more likly to bond either with you or your husband than your son. In part by your sons age. He's very young and the Dog will see him as an equal or even as someone below him. Of course doggy training will help, but dogs pick who they like best, theres really little we can do about it. But as long as your ok with the Dog not turning out to be the best friend for your son. Which is not to say that the Dog won't be a very good friend to your son, it may very well be. Again I mention the pug. Great little dog.
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| jcmaddock10 |
| Posted 1/14/2008 6:39:07 PM |
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Active: 07-21-2007
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My Peke's coat is very thick and smooth and there is nothing wrong with it, I didn't say he doesn't shed at all. He does shed but very little. My Peke loves my neices and nephews and I have never had a problem and the youngest one is a year old. When my oldest neice is around she barely lets his feet touch the floor and he loves it. We have never had a problem with him and children. So must be he is unusual, maybe it was the way he was raised....hmmm...think about it. |
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| THMINIS |
| Posted 1/14/2008 8:09:45 PM |
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Active: 03-16-2006
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| Quote maoseger1010: You have a very unusual Peke. If they have the proper coat they will shed quite a bit as their coat is heavy and thick. I owned two, one whos coat was very poor and thin, but soft and another who's coat... |
I would have to agree with Mao again on the Peke. The majority don't do their best in homes with loud, highly active young children. They do better with children and adults who are of a more relaxed composition and such.
I know I'm biased when it comes to a pug, but I've owned other breeds, too. I also know of more than one family who has a young child and a pug or multiple pugs. Actually, OP, check out this video/collage that a mom of a baby girl that I know made. She only had a pug at the time but does now also have a second dog. She won't mind that I've shared this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QaMv6I78Lg |
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| maoseger1010 |
| Posted 1/14/2008 9:25:02 PM |
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Forum Moderator
Active: 02-20-2005
Posts: 6601
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| Quote jcmaddock10: My Peke's coat is very thick and smooth and there is nothing wrong with it, I didn't say he doesn't shed at all. He does shed but very little. My Peke loves my neices and nephews and I have never had a... |
I'm sorry I offended you. I clearly did. I didn't mean to imply your Dog isn't wonderful, I'm sure he is. However he is not the norm.
"So must be he is unusual, maybe it was the way he was raised....hmmm...think about it."
:) I've been raising and training dogs for a very long time. I've trained many people and their dogs. My pekes were very well trained dogs and were very loving. Unlike most Pekes they did not freak out when someone came to the door.(good training) They were not afraid of strangers, they knew sit,down,stay,ect. But like most Pekes they simply weren't to excited about small children. As I've said in the past if I put my chin 4" off the floor and saw a small child running at me screaming, I'd snap too. lol I guess I'm not well trained. lol
I currently own a Chihuahua who like your Peke breaks all the rules, she doesn't bark,growl, or act possessive in anyway. She is wonderful with children (under my very watchfull eye for her safty). Everyone who meets her can't believe she's a Chihuahua and if I had a dollar for everytime someone has said "Wow she's not at all like my (insert name)'s Chihuahua she's really nice" I'd have a very nice car. My point being that even though my Chihuahua is wonderful and good with children I know her breed as a whole is not so I would not recommend her breed to families with small children or even families where both adults work outside the home all day. The needs of the breed guide my opinion.
Again I did not mean to offend you, but just point out that yours is not the norm. But please don't take my word for it.
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| maoseger1010 |
| Posted 1/14/2008 9:33:02 PM |
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Forum Moderator
Active: 02-20-2005
Posts: 6601
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| Quote THMINIS: I would have to agree with Mao again on the Peke. The majority don't do their best in homes with loud, highly active young children. They do better with children and adults who are of a more relaxed... |
That was the best video I've seen in a long long time!!!!!!
Thank you for sharing!!!! If that doesn't show what great dogs Pugs are I don't know what will. :) |
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